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USS Port Royal and USS Hopper Return Home

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080508-01
Release Date: 5/8/2008 6:48:00 AM

From USS Tarawa Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Two Pearl Harbor-based combatant ships, with almost 500 Sailors, returned home today, May 2, after completing a six-month Western Pacific deployment as part of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group.

The guided-missile cruiser, USS Port Royal (CG 73), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), served in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

While on deployment, Tarawa ESG has provided support to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; provided disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh after Tropical Cyclone Sidr; taken part in operations in the Horn of Africa; and conducted Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf.

"The captains and crews of Port Royal and Hopper have done an outstanding job this deployment and continually impressed me with their mission readiness," said Capt. John Miley, Commander, Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group. "Their professionalism the past six months and willingness to get the job done epitomize the best parts of the United States Navy."

In addition to seagoing operations, Port Royal and Hopper Sailors conducted a series of theater security cooperation port visits, volunteering their time and energy to assist in many community relations events.

"Visits like these afford excellent opportunities for our Sailors to develop relationships with our friends in Southeast Asia," said Capt. David Adler, Port Royal's commanding officer.

We had many opportunities to reach out to the local communities, and the kindness and hospitality we received in return was unforgettable."

During a final stop in Guam, Afloat Training Group, Mid-Pacific, embarked the ships for a Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) Inspection to observe a series of damage control and combat systems drills.

U.S. Navy guided-missile cruisers and destroyers provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities, and can operate independently, or as part of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups and underway replenishment groups.

Port Royal and Hopper are equipped with the Aegis weapons system, which is used to protect the strike group from enemy combatants. The Aegis weapons system allows Sailors to simultaneously keep track of airborne and underwater objects while collecting, evaluating and displaying combat information. The Aegis system also helps in sharing combat information with strike group ships and missile employment.

For more news from Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/tarawaesg/.